Improvement in steel shirt-collars



of the collar, one ata short distance from each NITiED4 Srrns LOUIS BILLON. 0F BROOKLYN, NEW

YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND JOHN FOGGAN, OF SAME PLACE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent- No. 42,4 29, dated April 19, 1864.

To aZZ whom it mwy vanua/'r0.-

Be it known that I, LOUIS BILLON, of the city of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Steel Shirt-Collars; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is an inside view of a collar constructed according to my invention, showing it laid out flat. Fig. 2 is a top view of the same in the condition in which it is worn.

rings or endless bands, for attaching the collar to the shirt. These rings or hands are folded and passed through the eyes, and then one end of each is rove through the other to attach it to its respective metallic eye or loop.

To put on the collar, it is bent round the neck with the ends in front, and with either edge upward, according as it is intended to appear as a stand-up or turndown,7 and the stud being then slipped into the hole c cl finds its way into the slit d and secures itself by the tendency of the collar to open or straighten. 'lhe back flexible ring or loop g is then slipped over the button at the back of Fig. 3 is a front view corresponding with Fi g.2.

Similar letters of reference indicate. corresponding parts in the several figures.

To enable others to construct collars according to my invention, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the drawings.

A is the collar, made oi' a piece of steelplate of any form, according to the fashion desired, and a a represent the imitation of stitching produced on-its exterior by indenting it with a milling-roller or other tool in one or more lines parallel with and at a short distance from its edges before it is painted.

bis the metal stud, tirmly secured by soldering or other means to theinner i'ace oi the collar, near one end, and c d is the hole near the other end for the reception of the said stud to fasten the collar around the neck. the said hole being in the form of a circle, c, large enough for the head of the stud to pass through it, with a narrow slit, d, on the side toward the end of the collar only wide enough for the shank or neck ofthe stud.

e e andf are the metallic eyes or loops, made of wire and soldered to the inner side end and the other at the middle ot' its length. The stud and eyes are of course applied and the band of the shirt, and the two front fiexible rings or loops slipped over the single button in front of the said hand.

Some persons may prefer not to use these tiexible rings or loops, and will find the stud and hoe sufficient to keep the collar in place.

The collar is represented in Fig. 3 arranged as a sta11dup,and`in this position the cratied in the usual way. When it is to be worn as a turn-down, it is merely turned upside down, and in this position the cravat or tie is placed under the collar below the metallic loops or eyes e ef, and it may he secured by y making the first turn of a knot, then passing one end upward under the collar, bringing it over the stud and eyelet in front, and making the ordinary bow. It is not, however, necessary so to pass the cravat or tie through and over the collar, as the loops e cf will prevent the cravat froin slipping up, and the stud and i its hole are concealed wit-hout being' covered by the. bow ofthe cravat or tie.

I do not claim, broadly, the invention of steel shiitcollars; but,

Having thus described my invention,.I claim .and desire to Isecure by Letters Patent, as an improved article of manufacturesecured before the collar is painted. The collar is painted inside and out with zinc or other white paint, and varnished with any spirit or oil varnish which is not liable to crackin the bending of the collar, and which will bear washing with soap and water.

ggg are the exible rings or loops, composed, preferably, of vulcanized indiarubher.

A steel shirt-collar made with indented edges, concealed stud b, eyes e f, and flexible loops or rings g, in the manner herein shown and described.

LOUIS BILLON. Witnesses:

M. S. PARTRIDGE, DANIEL RoBnnTsoN.

vat 0r necktie is to be arranged outside and 

